JAWI Participates in the 2nd International Symposium on Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation

Javan Wildlife Institute (JAWI) participated in the 2nd International Symposium on Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation (ISWBC) 2026, organized by the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The international symposium, held under the theme “Beyond Species: Rethinking Conservation in an Era of Uncertainty,” took place on 11–12 June 2026 at The Alana Yogyakarta Hotel & Convention Center. The event brought together academics, researchers, conservation practitioners, civil society organizations, and government representatives from Indonesia and other countries to discuss the future of biodiversity conservation in an increasingly complex world.

The symposium was officially opened by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Indonesia. In his remarks, he emphasized that infrastructure development and environmental conservation should not be seen as competing interests. Instead, both should work together to achieve prosperity and sustainability. The Indonesian government was also represented by Rohmat Marzuki, Vice Minister of Forestry, who stressed that forests are more than just collections of trees. Forests are the foundation of life, helping to regulate the climate, protect biodiversity, support local livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future. He highlighted the importance of strengthening indigenous and local community rights, promoting community-based forest management, developing high-integrity carbon markets, and improving landscape governance that balances conservation goals with community well-being.

JAWI took part in the symposium through two main activities. First, the organization presented research findings related to conservation and science-based natural resource management. Second, JAWI shared an exhibition booth with Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Alam Nusantara (KIARA) to showcase field-based conservation work and build new partnerships with symposium participants. As part of the scientific presentation session, JAWI presented a study exploring how Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) can support the conservation of the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) in Kemuning Village, Temanggung Regency, Central Java. The study highlighted the importance of understanding and integrating local knowledge into conservation planning and practice.

Lessons and Reflections from ISWBC 2026

Beyond providing a platform for sharing research and building partnerships, ISWBC 2026 offered valuable insights into the future direction of conservation. Many presentations highlighted that successful conservation is not only about protecting species or ecosystems, but also about creating fair, inclusive, and people-centered governance systems. One of the presentations that attracted significant attention was delivered by Walker DePuy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His presentation focused on rights-based conservation and community-led forest governance. He demonstrated how local communities should be viewed not only as beneficiaries of conservation programs but as key actors in managing and shaping the landscapes where they live. The presentation emphasized that conservation goals, climate action, and community well-being can be achieved together when local people have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. It also highlighted the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a fundamental principle in conservation. Communities should have the right to receive complete information, to give consent freely, and even to reject projects that may affect their lives. Another important message was that not every aspect of conservation can be easily scaled up or digitized. Trust, social relationships, and community consent require long-term engagement and cannot simply be replaced by technology or rapid implementation processes. Efforts to simplify these processes may reduce meaningful participation and overlook community rights that are essential for successful conservation.

A similar perspective was shared by Frank Momberg and his team in their presentation on transforming indigenous livelihoods through the work of Forest Guardians in the Bird’s Head Peninsula of Southwest Papua. Their case study showed how conservation can improve community well-being when local knowledge, indigenous rights, and sustainable economic opportunities are integrated into conservation strategies. Through birdwatching-based ecotourism, community capacity building, and the protection of landscapes with high ecological and cultural value, local communities have become both environmental stewards and direct beneficiaries of conservation efforts. This approach demonstrates that long-term conservation success depends on creating positive incentives for people to protect forests and biodiversity.

For JAWI, participating in ISWBC 2026 was a valuable opportunity to share field experiences, present research findings, and learn from conservation initiatives from around the world. The discussions throughout the symposium reinforced the idea that the future of conservation is not only about protecting species, but also about strengthening community rights, recognizing local knowledge, and developing fair and sustainable landscape management approaches. As conservation challenges continue to evolve, collaboration among science, local communities, and policymakers will be essential to achieving lasting, meaningful conservation outcomes.